Dilated Blood Vessels
Telangiectasia, also referred to as broken blood vessels, dilated capillaries, or spider veins, are actually dilated or enlarged blood vessels (they technically aren’t broken!) just beneath the skin’s surface. They appear as tiny, red lines in a web-shaped pattern often seen on the nose, cheeks, and chin.
Causes Of Dilated Blood Vessels
UV Damage - the sun and tanning beds
Heat - regularly cleansing with hot water
Allergies - sneezing can be forcefully and excessively blowing and rubbing nose
Excessive drinking or smoking
Skincare Tools - the use of metal extraction tools (at home and even by some professionals), pore vacuums, and home microdermabrasion.
Pregnancy hormones
Genetics - if they run in your family you are more prone to them
Extreme Temperature Changes - windburn, extremely hot or cold climates
Trauma to the skin - aggressively squeezing acne, vigorously exfoliating with scrubs, and wearing glasses, particularly on the bridge of the nose.
If you have dilated blood vessels, remember, some of these causes are entirely beyond your control, like pregnancy hormones or the need to wear glasses. But, on the other hand, squeezing your pimple with your fingernail, doing your best to avoid UV damage, and using lukewarm water to cleanse instead of hot IS your control.
How Do You Treat Dilated Blood Vessels?
Honestly, topical skincare products are very effective, if at all. Suppose you have dilated and vessels and they bother you for aesthetic reasons. In that case, I recommend seeing a medical professional to treat them with laser treatments, in intense pulled light (IPL) or sclerotherapy.
A Word On Rosacea
Through the years in the treatment room, I have found that many people diagnosed themself with rosacea, but they actually have telangiectasia. They are different skin conditions though a characteristic of rosacea is dilated blood vessels. It's always a good idea to see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis if you suspect you may have rosacea. Check out my blog post on rosacea for further reading!
